In poetry, tautology refers to the repetition of words or phrases with the same meaning, often for emphasis or as a stylistic choice. This repetition can be intentional or unintentional, serving various purposes in the poem.
For example, the phrase “free gift” is a tautology because “free” and “gift” have the same meaning. Other examples of tautologies in poetry might include “hot fire,” “end result,” or “past history.”
While tautologies can be used for emphasis or as a rhetorical device, they can also detract from the poem’s impact if they are overused or misused. Therefore, poets must be deliberate and intentional when using tautologies.
Benjamin L. Stewart 